one thing you guys and gals might want to consider for
awning/tent poles:

those aluminum poles that you use for roller-painting the
ceiling. about $8 each at various large 'hardware' stores
(Lowe's, Home Depot, Wal-Mart, etc), and they have a plastic
screw-thread on one end. they also extend several feet (but
collapse into a easily-stored length) and twist/grip to stay
at any length (up to maximum). with a little
shaving/whittling, the plastic screw end can be made to fit
into a grommet hole on a tarp.

i've got them and am planning/scheming/plotting some sort of
tarp-tent ... just haven't gotten the kinks worked out yet.
:)

joel